Bardon Grange Project

The Bardon Grange project is a community food growing project that gives students, staff, and other members of the local community the opportunity to grow organic food in a communal growing space.

We have two sites: Bardon Grange is an beautiful old walled garden surrounded by woodland at Oxley Halls of Residences in far Headingley, and the Sustainable garden is on campus in Chancellor's Court, next to the Roger Stevens building.

We grow lots of organic fruit and veg in the garden, support and teach people how to grow their own, and also sell lots of plants and produce to help fund the project, and to encourage people to grow and eat locally produced food. We have weekly gardening sessions and a programme of workshops and events to help people learn more about sustainable food production, gain new skills, and enjoy the good life! See below for more information on what we've got coming up.

Drop-in Food Growing Sessions

We run two weekly food growing sessions which are open to everyone; students, staff and all other members of the community. Whether you’re a skilled gardener or a complete novice, we are always ready to welcome new volunteers, as long as you’re happy to get your hands dirty!

These weekly gardening sessions offer the chance to get outside and gain experience of growing organic food, and to work alongside other volunteers in a communal setting. The produce that we grow is shared between the volunteers and we share recipe ideas and occasionally cook together on site. We also regularly offer workshops and events to help people gain new skills and learn more about sustainable food production.

Please make sure you wear appropriate clothing. We provide tools, and tea and biscuits.

(in Chancellor's Court, next to the Roger Stevens building, Leeds University Campus)

Volunteer Opportunities

As well as volunteering in the garden at Bardon Grange, we often have other volunteer opportunities available. Why not get involved in planning our salad enterprise, join our communications team in the office, or take responsibility for a specific job in the project e.g. looking after our fruit trees. Please contact bardongrangeproject@luu.leeds.ac.uk if you are interested.

Locally Produced Compost and Woodchip

We have lots of compost and woodchip at Bardon Grange produced by the University Grounds and Gardens team. Its produced from the green waste around campus, so its very local and sustainable! If you would like any compost and/or woodchip for yourself or your organisation, we'd be very happy for you to take some off our hands in return for a donation to the project. Any income that we receive goes into us helping sustain and develop the Bardon Grange Project.

Please be aware that the compost and woodchip is only available for pick-up by prior arrangement - please contact usat leasta week in advance of when you ideally would like to collect some, so that we've got enough time to arrange for someone to be there and point you in the direction of the compost heap.

Please note that you need to provide your own bags/sacks, and also bring along your own spade or shovel. The best times for picking up is Wednesday late afternoon or early evening during one of our gardening sessions. Other times possible by prior arrangement.

Donations can be made by cash or cheque (made payable to Leeds University Union) and must be made on collection.

Alternatively, we can invoice you for larger amounts, but please contact us in advance.